Judge Will Sit Out Retrial Of Officer In Beating Case

OTHER NEWS TO NOTE - MIDWEST

September 17, 1997

DETROIT — The judge in the trial of two white police officers convicted of beating to death a black motorist said he will not preside at the retrial of one of the officers because he isn't sure he can be fair. The state Supreme Court reversed Walter Budzyn's conviction in July, in part because the jury was shown the Denzel Washington movie Malcolm X - and footage of the Rodney King beating - during a break in the trial. On Tuesday, Recorder's Court Judge George Crockett III took himself off the retrial of Budzyn. No trial date has been set.